ANDY MONDAY

NORWAY — Defending Wisconsin International Raceway super late model champion Andy Monday has filed an entry for the 35th annual Stateline Challenge at Norway Speedway on July 6.

The Appleton driver is no stranger to Norway’s third-mile paved oval.

“I remember winning the $2,000 season opener back in 2007 against a stout field of cars,” Monday said. “We also led the first 65 laps of the ARCA Midwest Tour event there in 2012.

“For us it’s just as close to run Norway as it is the Dells or Madison. Norway has a great fan base and the atmosphere is like no other.”

One of Monday’s strengths at his home track of WIR is qualifying. The second-generation racer has nabbed quick time on the D-shaped, half-mile, paved oval on more than one occasion.

With Base Companies of Green Bay throwing in a $300 cash bonus, Monday feels his chances are as good as anybody else to win the extra cash.

“We set fast time at Norway in 2007 and I think we have a car capable of pulling it off,” Monday said. “At Norway, like any other place, it’s all about being smooth and getting good drive off the corner.”

In addition to the top weekly super late model drivers like Dillion Kralovetz, Dalton Zehr, Kris Kelly, Robby Iverson, Dan Lindsley, Tom Lindquist and Mike D’Angelo, Monday will have to tackle NASCAR truck champion Johnny Sauter.

Sauter will wheel a Pathfinder chassis out of the Coleman Racing stables.

“Anytime Johnny shows up to race a super late model he’s a threat to win,” Monday said. “This race is going to be a combination of attrition and tire management, so if we can be in contention with around 25 to go, the gloves will come off and we will give it all we got.

“It would be pretty special to add my name to the list of drivers who have won the Stateline Challenge in the past and bring the crown back to where it belongs in Cheesehead land.”

A 75-lap super late model feature presented by Island Resort & Casino is on tap. The pit gates open at 3 p.m. Qualifying begins at 5:45 p.m. Racing gets under way at 7 p.m.

‘Long Haul’ sponsor

Richards’ of Dunbar Supper Club & Motel will sponsor the “Long Haul” award for Norway Speedway’s 35th annual Stateline Challenge.

Richards’ will award $200 cash to the weekly super late model driver who tows the farthest to compete in the prestigious event.

Richards’ is owned by Randy and Lynne Sippel. The Elkhart Lake couple own and operate the supper club in Marinette County.

Randy is a long time sprint car racer himself and still runs the Sippel sprint car racing school at several dirt tracks across northeast Wisconsin.

Richards’ serves up a full menu six days a week. Located at W11466 US-8 in Dunbar, they are well known for their Monday night 50-cent jumbo wings, Friday night fish fry and prime rib on Saturdays.